i just got done installing my msd 6a and it was working great (except for the run on), untill i went to radio shack and bought a diode to fix the run on and now my car wont start. ive tried everything in the manual(i think at least), and nothing seems to be wired wrong. please help? ps does anyone set up distributers for other's who dont know how to do it (like me)
Did you maybe put the diode in backwards? Give Carmen Faso a call.......he should be able to set you straight. He will set the timing curve on a distributor machine and could probly answer your questions. 716-693-4090. :bglasses:
To field test an MSD box, pull the coil wire at the distributor, and position it within 1/2" of a good ground. If you are using the white wire to trigger the box, disconnect it. Turn the ignition key to the run position. Tap the white wire(BOX END) to ground. Everytime you remove the white wire from ground you should see a spark at the coil wire. If you are using the green/violet wires to trigger the box, disconnect the connection at the distributor. Use a paper clip, or wire to short the green, and violet wires together, on the BOX END. Everytime you break the short, you should see a spark. Make sure you have 12 volts at the small red wire(turn on lead for the box)with the ignition in run position. Which wire did you put the diode into?
i didnt get to installing the diode because the car problems started while i was purchasing the diode. i went to radio shack to buy a diode. i turned off the ignition but the car kept running and while i was in the store my car stoped running. when i tried to start it again it wouldn't start. it seams to me as though it doesn't want to fire. so when you say the coil wire which wire are you refering to o No: ie: the wire from the msd box to the coil or the wire from the coil to the center of the dist. cap i have a hei unit if that helps at all sorry for the confution about the diode thanks for the help guys
I mean the wire in the middle of the distributor cap. Pull the wire out of the center of the cap, and position it near a ground. If you have an HEI, there is no coil wire. You are triggering the MSD with the pick up coil in the HEI (You have bypassed the module). Do you know how to test for Spark? Right now, I'm not sure what you have. Tell me what kind of Distributor you have, and did you install the MSD?
yes i installed the msd and i think that i have a stock hei unit converted to use a mag pick up (no points). i know that it has a mag pick up thats triggering the msd. i bought this setup from Keith Conkle. i know how to check for spark with a stock type setup but as far as this msd stuff its a new to me but i learn fast . at least i better cause im in school studying to be an auto technition.so as far as checking for a spark with the msd and hei unit, i dont know how to do that. thanks for the help
So you have a large cap, with no separate coil? The coil is in the cap? I would just remove a plug wire, position it near a ground, then crank the engine and look for a spark. If no spark, check that the turn on lead (small red wire) is receiving 12 volts with key in the run position. Then double check all your connections to the in cap coil (orange, black, and ground), and of course the connections at the battery(large red, and black)
i guess i know more than i thought i did because ive done all of that except for checking the wires from the coil to the dist. cap. is there an internal fuse in the msd box because from what you guys have told me and from what i can tell i think that i either toasted the msd box or the fuse in the box. ou:
No fuse in the box as far as I know. Make sure you have 12 volts at the turn on lead(use a test light) Double check all your connections. I would substitute another coil before I condemned the MSD box, they go, but it is uncommon.
Check all fuses in the fuse panel. Check all fuses in the fuse panel and all fuse links in the wiring system. Just a thought?
You may have two separate problems. What did you do with the white wire from the MSD box?? If it managed to ground itself, your car will not start. Something easy to check. This happened to me when I installed my cousin's MSD in his Camaro. I just left the white wire laying on the floor thinking it would be fine for now as there is still alot of work to be done....NOT SO. Worked fine for several days...then wouldn't start. Took me a couple afternoons to track the problem to the white wire....insulate that sucker!! Good Luck :TU:
is there a way to check to see if my coil is bad? because if thats not the problem then the msd box has to be bad, because ive tried everything else that could possibly be wrong. thanks for all your help! it is very much appreciated ! thanks again curtis :ball:
Well, you can substitute another coil. My MSD Digital 6 fried the Accel coil I initially used. Replaced it with an MSD 8200, no problems since then. This Car Craft site has some HEI and conventional coil tests. Scroll down to the step that applies to you. http://www.carcraft.com/howto/53318/index6.html
